The Open Comment project sits within an external demand for electronic
assessment from policy makers together with the QCA and SQA (see
Whitelock & Brasher 2006 and the final report to the JISC on a Roadmap for
e-Assessment http://www.jisc.ac.uk/elp_assessment.html). Universities too,
together with Further Education establishments, are embracing e-assessment
(see Whitelock et al, 2006). There is a recognition that e-assessment
accompanied by an appropriate feedback to the student is beneficial for
learning (DiBattista et al, 2004; Pitcher el al., 2002; Whitelock & Raw, 2003).
Distance Learning too is forging ahead with electronic delivery of courses
together with addressing the complexities of e-assessment for large cohorts of
students.